Anxiety sucks. It can leave you feeling helpless, insecure, and without any real direction in your life. It can even paralyze your ability to function properly and enjoy each day in severe cases. How do you cope with it?
Physically Paralyzing Anxiety
You may have physically paralyzing anxiety after a clear stressor, like a major life change or disaster. However, stressors don't always cause it.
Physical paralysis is a feeling of being not able to move. It can be so intense that the person feels locked in their body in a sort of "limbo" state. This can make it hard to leave the house or get out of bed, particularly if you feel unsafe.
Emotionally Paralyzing Anxiety
Physical paralysis is distinct from emotional paralysis. This is a feeling of being unable to express your sadness, shame, or fear. It is a feeling of being unable to move on from a stressful event or express your feelings. Although you may want to let someone in on what's going on, you feel like you can't. It may be an overwhelming fear of confrontation or conflict or a feeling of being selfish or needy.
Emotional paralysis can make you avoid social situations, particularly those where you might feel exposed to criticism or judgment. It can also make it difficult to relate to people, both on an emotional level and a physical level. If you can't physically connect with someone, it can make it hard to have an emotional connection, as well.
Manage Your Anxiety Now
For many people, anxiety is a life-long challenge. It may wax and wane over time. You may find that you have one type of paralyzing anxiety or the other, depending on the life stressors you deal with. However, it can still feel like a life sentence. It can be hard to imagine moving forward or living a full life. But, it's possible. Here are some ways you can manage anxiety:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety. It works by focusing on changing your response to the feeling of anxiety rather than the feeling itself. You may feel like you're stuck with anxiety forever, but CBT teaches you how to stand outside yourself and see the problem as a separate entity. It can give you the tools you need to work through the anxiety you feel.
Meditation and Prayer
Meditation and prayer are great ways to disconnect from anxiety. They can help you focus on your breathing, moving the focus of your mind to the moment.
Prayer can also help you connect with a higher power and reach out to a source of strength. Both can be great ways to get through a crisis, and you can also use them regularly to keep anxiety from taking over your life.
Talk to Someone
Anxiety can make you feel like you're alone and have no one to turn to. However, talking to someone can make all the difference. You can reach out to loved ones or find someone to talk to. If you need someone to talk to, therapy can help.
Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy has a new method of battling anxiety that proves very effective. The therapy works by helping the brain rewire itself by triggering an increase in the release of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This chemical helps repair and build brain neurons, and it also helps regulate and maintain cognitive functions, including mood, learning, and memory.
Overcome Anxiety
No matter what type of paralyzing anxiety you're suffering, it's possible to manage it. You can reach out and find help, whether it's medication or other treatments. You can also take steps to manage it on your own.
Dr. Stephanie Lyn Coleman offers ketamine therapy in Los Angeles. Contact us!